Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford fired Manchester United to a memorable first win under Erik ten Hag as bitter rivals Liverpool were beaten 2-1 on a night of protests against the Glazer family.
It was United's first league win of the campaign, after defeats to Brighton and Brentford left them bottom of the table for the first time in 30 years.
Raphael Varane was preferred in defence ahead of captain Harry Maguire, with the Frenchman enjoying one of his best performances in a United shirt.
We spoke to French international in the mixed zone after the match at Old Trafford to get his thoughts.
Was tonight your best moment since you signed for Manchester United?
"Yes, I really enjoyed it on the pitch tonight - the atmosphere, the spirit of the team.
I came to England to feel these emotions after everything I left in Madrid, and this feeling was amazing. Absolutely amazing. The crowd, the fans and the fight on the pitch was amazing. Absolutely. I enjoyed it.”
There's been a lot of talk about what happened at Brentford but that was some reaction against a team that are considered one of the best in the world
“Yeah, we know the potential of the team. But tonight we really needed a proud reaction in front of our fans. It was absolutely necessary. I hope it's the real starting of the season [for us] because the two first games the mentality was not good enough. We had to fight like we fight tonight. We know what we can do but we did it tonight and I hope we keep pushing like this.”
You started the first two games on the bench. Could you pinpoint and see during those games what was wrong with the mentality?
“It's difficult to explain why but we didn't start the games with the same intensity, with the same fighting spirit. We had the motivation but it's difficult to explain why it was starting with this low energy. Football is about energy, it's about when you have to push, when you have to stay calm, when you have to attack. Tonight we show a great control. It was a mature performance tonight.”
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 8. His defenders saved him in the first half. Got down to save from Fabinho after 66. Fine one handed save after 80. Fuming a minute later when Salah scored. AP -
Diogo Dalot 7. Strong at right-back. A little too strong when he was booked for a yellow card on 45.A positive night for the Portuguese. Reuters -
Raphael Varane 9. Started ahead of captain Harry Maguire. Booked after 27, but the sight of him juggling the ball in the Liverpool box before setting up Rashford caught the mood with United at 2-0. The Varane Manchester United hoped they were buying. Won everything in the air. AP -
Lisandro Martinez 9. Brilliant sliding block from Salah after 40 and then saved the ball on the line from what was going to be a Fernandes own goal 30 seconds later. Positioning was flawless. Getty -
Tyrell Malacia 8. Positive start. Two key clearances as Liverpool pushed for a late equaliser. Got in front of Firmino – and in the faces of almost every Liverpool player - to break another attack up in those final tense minutes for his side. Fantastic debut. Offside -
Christian Eriksen 7. Curled a 24th minute free-kick towards goal and the fingers of Becker. Always had attacking intent. Worthy performance. EPA -
Scott McTominay 7. A surprise starter and he came out flying. Which he needed to do after performances this season. Scooped the ball away as Liverpool tried to get a goal back after 56, then blocked a 74th minute attack. EPA -
Jadon Sancho 8. Put his side ahead on 16 – controlling a ball, taking five neat touches and placing it along the floor past Alisson. His best moment since signing. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes 7. Captain and set up Elanga who hit the post. Almost scored his first goal of the season – at the Stretford End in his own goal after 40. Martinez saved him. Took one poor touch as United went for a third after 73. Booked on 74. Told off by his manager for trying to play a through ball near the end. Getty -
Anthony Elanga 7. Played on the left of a front three and hit the post when he should have scored, then assisted Sancho to put United in the lead. The Stretford End sang his name. Off at half time. Getty -
Marcus Rashford 8. Played centre-forward and put United 2-0 up with a sweet finish, his first in the Premier League since January, then shot wide after 55 after being set up by Varane. Will have been delighted to hear the Stretford End sing his name. Offside -
SUBS: Anthony Martial 7. On for Elanga at half time. Looked confident. Set Rashford up for the second. Beautiful twist, turn and control to play the ball away from danger on 79. At the sharp end of a 91st minute attack. Reuters -
Fred 7. On for Sancho after 70. Defensive role to stop Liverpool breaking through. PA -
Donny van de Beek NA. On for Eriksen after 85. Steady in seeing out the game. PA -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka NA. On for Dalot after 86. Cleared a 91st minute attack and another a minute later and another a minute after that – and that was enough as United held on. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo NA. On for Rashford after 85. Spooned a shot over on 90. Getty -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian was let down by his defence for the goals. He made a fine save from Eriksen and kept the score down. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 3. When the 23-year-old is good, he is very, very good. This was one of his bad nights. It was ugly. Getty -
Joe Gomez – 6. The 25-year-old was the best of a poor defensive bunch. He made a couple of timely blocks and was less ruffled than his colleagues. PA -
Virgil van Dijk – 4. The Dutchman was unusually static, particularly on the opening goal. He showed his class by cutting out Rashford on the counter but overall he was way below his normal standards, as Milner pointed out. PA -
Andrew Robertson – 5. The Scot did not produce much going forward although he was solid when defending. He was withdrawn for Tsimikas with five minutes to go. Getty -
Harvey Elliott – 5. The 19-year-old was anonymous for long spells and did not help his defenders enough. He was better in the closing stages when his passing hinted at better things. Getty -
Jordan Henderson – 4. The captain pressed hard with limited success and was too often left stranded by the opposition’s pace and crisp passing. He made way for Fabinho in the 59th minute. Offside -
James Milner – 4. The 36-year-old produced more bluster than brilliance. His frustration showed in some questionable challenges and a running row with Van Dijk. He made way for Carvalho in the 73rd minute. AFP -
Mohamed Salah – 6. The Egyptian was isolated and the defence doubled up on him. Even so, he caused chaos when he got the ball and he pulled a goal back with a sharp finish. Getty -
Roberto Firmino – 3. The Brazilian swung his foot and missed the ball completely in the area in the second half and it summed up an unhappy night. He sat way too deep for much of the game and when he got forward he was ineffective. Reuters -
Luis Diaz – 6. The Colombian showed plenty of ambition and was the most direct of the Liverpool strikers. His relationship with Robertson needs serious work, though. Getty -
SUBS: Fabinho – 6. The Brazilian replaced Henderson in the 59th minute and settled things down in the midfield. He forced De Gea into a save with a back-post header. Getty -
Fabio Carvalho – 6. The Portuguese came on for Milner in the 73rd minute and produced a bright cameo. His shot created the chance for Salah to score. Getty -
Kostas Tsimikas – 5. The Greek joined the action with five minutes to go in place of Robertson. He was almost embarrassed by Martial. Reuters
It looked like you actually enjoyed the fight - defenders giving high fives and the like
“We try to stick together. We're a team so we fight for each other. That's why I really enjoyed it."
You played with some very passionate defenders in Madrid in Sergio Ramos and Pepe. Does Lisandro Martinez remind you of them at all, because he seems to be very motivated?
"He brings to the team his determination, his motivation and, yeah, he has this mentality, this fighting spirit. He showed it tonight.”
How are you feeling yourself? How’s your fitness? Did you have a special plan in pre-season, are you 100 per cent now?
“Yeah, yeah, I feel very good. I was ready for the start of the season, but I didn't start so I had more time to keep building the fitness. We know how demanding the Premier League is, so I work a lot to be fit, to be ready. I have demonstrated in the past what I can do when I'm fit, so that's my focus for this season. I really want to help the team.
Some moments in the last season were frustrating so, yeah, tonight I really enjoyed because I know the way was not easy. That's it, I know I need to be fit to enjoy it.”
Another reason to enjoy tonight is you got to see your good friend Casemiro. How excited are you to have him joining you at Manchester United?
“Yeah, very excited. I know perfectly his quality. He can bring this balance to the team and his mentality. He's a warrior, so I think he will really enjoy the English football. I think it was a perfect night for him to meet Old Trafford because the atmosphere was absolutely amazing, and he brings a victory so it’s nice.”
Did he come into the dressing room before the game? Did you see him before he started?
“No.”
So, you'll see him at training
“Yeah.”
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Fans take part in an organised protest march outside Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United match against Liverpool on August 22, 2022. PA -
Fans walk to the Old Trafford ground ahead of an organised protest against the Manchester United owners. PA -
Fans take part in an organised protest march outside Old Trafford. PA -
A man sells scarves outside the Old Trafford ground. PA -
Manchester United fans protest ahead of the Liverpool match. Action Images -
Fans arrive amidst high police security. EPA -
Fans arrive amidst police presence. EPA -
Fans arrive amidst police presence. EPA -
Police watch over fans outside Old Trafford. EPA -
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at Old Trafford ahead of the Premier League match against Liverpool. Getty -
A banner protesting the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United outside the stadium before the match. Action Images -
Raphael Varane of Manchester United arrives at Old Trafford and signs autographs for fans. Getty -
Scott McTominay of Manchester United arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
Tyrell Malacia of Manchester United arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
Manchester United's David de Gea and Anthony Martial arrive at Old Trafford to face Liverpool. Getty -
Bruno Fernandes signs for fans at Old Trafford. Getty -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Old Trafford. Getty -
Fred looks happy ahead of the Liverpool clash. Getty -
Christian Eriksen arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
A fan has a photo taken in front of a banner protesting the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United. Action Images -
Stewards outside the stadium before the match against Liverpool. Action Images -
A banner outside Old Trafford. Action Images -
A banner is displayed protesting the Glazer family’s ownership. Action Images -
Stewards outside the stadium before the match. Action Images -
Fans walk to the ground ahead of an organised protest against the Manchester United owners. Getty -
Fans walk to the ground ahead of an organised protest against the Manchester United owners. Getty -
Liverpool fans hold pictures of Manchester United's owners and sing songs in their support. AFP -
Police keep watch outside the ground ahead of an organised protest. Getty -
Fans walk to the ground ahead of an organised protest. Getty -
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Shirts protesting about the Glazer ownership of Manchester United are sold outside the stadium. Getty
Obviously, there was there was a lot of talk about protests from supporters. Did that have any impact on the team or preparation going into this game?
“Honestly, no. Everything from outside we keep away. We know what we have to do, and we have to be focused on our work, try to be the best and build on this game and build the confidence.”
There was talk that you'd been on the phone to Casemiro trying to get him to join you. Is that true? Have you been pestering him?
“No, no, no. I think he doesn't need my help to make his choice. I know exactly what he what he feels and why he's coming here after what he lived in Madrid.
He needs a new challenge, I know exactly what he feels, and I know exactly why he chose this club. It's a similar process that I had so obviously I wish him the best and I'm speaking with him a lot, but he didn't need me to make his choice.”
You played in Barcelona-Madrid, Lille-Lens and Manchester United-Liverpool. How does it compare today?
“It's a bit similar. I mean, a different country but the rivalry is very similar. The spirit of the fans from Lens and from United are quite similar.”
Why?
“The passion. I think the passion is the same. Obviously, this club is bigger than Lens, but I feel some things are similar.”
